LA Clippers Interested in Trading for Marco Belinelli

According to the Times-Picayune, the Clippers are trying to convince the skeptical Hornets to agree to a sign-and-trade for restricted free agent guard Mario Belinelli: “The Clippers are apparently willing to part ways with seven-year veteran power forward Ryan Gomes and a second-round pick in exchange for Belinelli, but sources say the Hornets don’t appear to be interested because of Gomes’ $4 million salary, although he would be in the final year of his deal this upcoming season. […] Gomes, 6 feet 7, 245 pounds, averaged 2.3 points in a reserve role last season for the Clippers. When asked Wednesday if the Hornets are interested re-signing Belinelli, General Manager Dell Demps would only say they are looking at everything. ‘I’m not a poker player, but I don’t want to show my hand,’ Demps said. Before the free agency negotiating period began July 1, Demps said they would like to have Belinelli back, but he predicted his market value would be high. Belinelli, 6 feet 5, 195 pounds, averaged a career-high 11.8 points and played in all 66 games last season, starting 55 in place of Eric Gordon, who missed all but nine games because of a knee injury.”